Update: OSPIRG consumer advocate Jesse Ellis O'Brien says the coalition for a stronger exchange is not testifying today after all, based on the positive reception from Cover Oregon staff to the coalition's recent letter.

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A public meeting today should provide an idea of the tensions involved in setting up an online health insurance marketplace for individuals and small businesses.

Gov. John Kitzhaber and federal officials are expected to testify about state achievements at the meeting of Cover Oregon, the name of the nascent insurance exchange being set up to comply with federal health reforms.

But so are consumer advocates and other groups that question whether the state is doing enough to bring the costs of health care down.

The Cover Oregon exchange will allow consumers to shop among policies and qualify for subsidies and tax credits. A big part of the federal health care law, it goes live later this year.

The notion drew bipartisan support in the Legislature. But a coalition of groups including AARP Oregon, Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, Oregon Latino Health Coalition and the Oregon Nurses Association will attend today's meeting to "raise some of our shared concerns about the direction the exchange is taking," says Jesse Ellis O'Brien, an OSPIRG consumer advocate.

Several lawmakers have raised similar concerns with the Oregon Insurance Division, saying the state needs to beef up transparency to let consumers compare policies on an "apples-to-apples" basis. But state officials are trying to balance insurers' concerns to make sure they participate in the exchange.

The list of groups expressing concerns to Cover Oregon follows:AARP OregonAmerican Federation of State, County, and Municipal WorkersAmerican Federation of TeachersAsian Pacific American Network of OregonMetropolitan Alliance for Common GoodMain Street Alliance of OregonOregon State Public Interest Research GroupOregon Law CenterOregon Latino Health CoalitionOregon Center for Public PolicyOregon ActionOregon Education AssociationOregon Nurses AssociationPlanned Parenthood Advocates of OregonService Employees International Union